Kathleen Kite Braxton Rhodes

Kathleen Kite Braxton Rhodes

Kathleen Kite Braxton Rhodes was born in Raleigh, North Carolina to Samuel Braxton and Martha Pearl Kite Braxton on September 14, 1921.

During her growing up years, she made summer trips to her grandfather's farm, Maple Glen, near Graves Mill, Virginia. She developed passions for oil painting and piano.

After high school, she studied short hand and became a secretary for the federal government in Washington, D.C. For several years, she was transferred to an office in Juneau, Alaska prior to its statehood. There she learned ballet and how to hike safely among the grizzlies.

In the 1950's, she returned to Maple Glen to marry C.K. Rhoades Jr. and raised two daughters, Sylvia Suzanne Rhodes-Humbert and Cynthia Diane Uberte. She spent her life in Madison caring for aging aunts and adopting any needy animal that might come along. She praised our creator through music and song as the organist for Mt. Nebo Lutheran Church, and a member of the Madison Chorale Society. Her greatest joy was being with children. Her granddaughters, Arielle Kathleen Davis and Adrianna Marie Davis were the loves of her life.

In her later years, Alzheimer's disease claimed her memories, but she found real happiness with the caring staff and constant visitors at Autumn Care Nursing Home in Madison. Everyone seemed familiar and a friend to her. She died peacefully, surrounded by their love and that of her granddaughter and daughter on November 10, 2009.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Madison and Greene Humane Society, P.O. Box 833, Madison, VA 22727 or Autumn Care of Madison, 1 Autumn Court, Madison, VA 22727.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.